Ides of March Socks by Star Athena
Size Women's Small, Medium, Large
Foot circumference: 7 (8, 9) inches 17.5 (20, 23 cm) unstretched. Will stretch to fit 8 (9, 10) inches 20 (23, 25.5 cm). Gauge: 32 sts/48 rows = 4"" in st st Yarn: Two contrasting colors of fingering-weight yarn that gives you proper gauge. You'll need approx 50 (70, 90) grams of the Main Color and 30 (35, 40) grams of a Contrasting Color. Sample shown is knit with Shalimar Yarns Zoe Sock ( $100\%$ SUPERWASH Merino wool; 450 yd per 4 oz skein), color: cayenne; 1 skein and Dream in Color Smooshy ( $100\%$ SUPERWASH Merino wool; 450yd per 4oz skein), color: purple rain; 1 skein. Notions: Cable needle, Tapestry needle, and (optional) a stitch marker to indicate the beginning of the round. NOTEs: This advanced sock pattern is worked from the cuff down with two colors. It includes a sideways cabled cuff, mosaic knitting, a heel flap, and a grafted toe. The slipped stitches create a fabric that is slightly less stretchy than standard stockinette stitch. Keep this in mind when choosing yarn and sock size. The Ides of March was once a festive day dedicated to the Roman god Mars. In modern times, the term Ides of March is best known as the date that Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 B.C. This sock design was inspired by ancient Roman tile. Just go ahead and jump in - there is nothing to beware of here! What is mosaic knitting? Describing mosaic knitting is harder than actually doing it. Barbara Walker named the process of slipping stitches while alternating rows of color "mosaic knitting" because it naturally lends itself to geometric design. Unlike stranded knitting, you only work with one color at a time. You will slip stitches to give the illusion of colorwork. In this pattern, you will work 2 rows of one color across the round, slipping the stitches that are indicated as the second color, then work 2 rows of the other color, slipping the stitches that as charted. In the charts, The MC is represented with white and the CC is shaded. This pattern is written using the magic loop or 2-circular method, where half the stitches are on Needle 1 (N1), and the other half are on Needle 2 (N2). You can easily divide these stitches again for double pointed needles. The small and large sizes have an odd. number of chart repeats, so you may find it easier to split the stitches onto your needles after 4 repeats. Just be sure to adjust your stitches prior to working the heel flap as instructed.
ABBREVIATIONS:
CC: Contrast color CQ: Cast on K: Knit K2tog: Knit two stitches together as one stitch MC: Main color N1 (N2): Needle 1 (2) P: Purl P2tog: Purl two stitches together as one stitch Rnd (Rnds): Round (Rounds) RS: Right (or public) side of work Sl: Slip. As in, slip the next stitch from left to right purl-wise. SSK: Slip one stitch as if to knit, slip the next stitch as if to knit, insert left needle into front of these two stitches and knit them together. St (sts): stitch (stitches) Tbl: Through back loop WS: Wrong (or non-public) side of work YQ: Yarn over
Start Sock:
Cuff:
With MC, CO 27 sts using a provisional CO, leaving a $1\,2^{,}$ tail. Sample sock was constructed using a crochet chain method\*. Work rows 1-8 of the Caesar Cuff pattern 14 (16, 18) times for a total of 112 (128, 144) rows. There will be 14 (16, 18) cable rows along your cuff.
Caesar Cuff
\*See a video demonstration of the crochet chain method here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v $\equiv$ okuYEOQhtOk
RS: Odd numbered rows. Ws: Even numbered rows Pick up the $1\,2^{,}$ tail from your CO and graft sts together with provisional CO row using kitchener stitch. The first st of the first row was a slipped st. Be sure to graft that st (or alternatively the purl st from row 2, if you find that more comfortable). With RS facing, pick up and PURL 56 (64, 72) sts along slipped-stitch edge of cuff. This will create an edge along the bottom of the cuff where it meets the leg of the sock. Divide evenly between needles and join to begin working in the round. Set up rnd: (MC) Knit 42 (48, 54) sts. This is now the beginning of the round. All Sizes: Join CC and work rnds 1-16 of Caesar St Pattern four times (64 rnds). Remember, the sock will be worked with one color at a time, slipping the stitches of the other color where indicated. Small and Large sizes: Follow the S/L chart. Medium size: Follow the Medium chart.
$\circledcirc$ 2010 Star Athena http://keeponknittinginthefreeworld.blogspot.com/
Legend:
knit knit stitch slip V Slip stitch as if to purl, holding yarn in back Notes: $\mathsf{M C=}$ White $\mathsf{C C=}$ Shaded RS: Odd numbered rnds. WS: Even numbered rnds. To increase leg length, repeat Caesar Stitch Pattern until desired length, ending after working rnd 16. Try on the sock to ensure fit!
Heel:
The heel flap will be worked back and forth over the first 28 (32, 36) sts. The sts are all on N1. N2 (instep sts) will not be used in this step.
Heel Flap:
All sizes: Please note the instructions regarding the outlined section of the
heel chart. Small and Large Sizes: Work the first two sts, then repeat the red outlined section until two sts remain, then work the last two sts. Small Size: Work rows 1-16 of heel chart. Then work rows 1-12. (28 rows) Medium Size: Only work the chart within the red outlined section. Work rows 1-16 of heel chart twice. (32 rows) Large Size: Work rows 1-16 of heel chart twice. Then work rows 1-4. (36 rows)
$\circledcirc$ 2010 Star Athena http://keeponknittinginthefreeworld.blogspot.com/
Turn Heel:
Row 1: [RS] k15 (17, 19), ssk, k1, turn. Row 2: [WS] Sl1, p5, p2tog, p1, turn. Row 3: [RS] Sl1, k6, ssk, k1, turn. Row 4: [WS] Sl1, p7, p2tog, p1, turn. Row 5: [RS] Sl1, k8, ssk, k1, turn. Row 6: [wS] Sl1, p9, p2tog, p1, turn. Row 7: [RS] Sl1, k10, ssk, kl, turn. Row 8: [wS] Sl1, pl1, p2tog, pl, turn. Row 9: [RS] Sl1. K12, ssk, k1, turn. Row 10: [Ws] Sll, p13, p2tog, p1, turn. Row 11: [RS] Sl1, k14, ssk, k1, turn work.
Legend:
knit knit stch Row 12 Iws sl, p14, p2tog, turn work. Row 12: [Ws] Si1, p15, p2tog, p1, turn work. Row 13: [RS] Sl1, k16, ssk, k1, turn work. Notes: Row 14: [WS] Sll, p16, p2tog, turn work. ${\sf M C}=$ $\mathsf{C C=}$ Whited Size Large only: Repeat red outlined section until the last 4 sts, then work to Row 12: [WS] Sl1, p15, p2tog, p1, turn work. theend of the round. Row 13: [RS] Sl1, k16, ssk, k1, turn work. Row 14: [Ws] Sl1, p17, p2tog, pl, turn work. Row 15: [RS] Sl1, k18, ssk, k1, turn work. Row 16: [WS] Sll, p18, p2tog, turn work. All Sizes: Next row: With CC [RS] K7 (8, 9), sl1, k8 (9, 10). Proceed to ausset.
Gusset:
Set up round: Size Medium: (CC) With needle 1, pick up and knit 16 sts along edge of heel flap, pick up and k1 st in between heel flap and instep. With needle 2, work rnd 1 of Caesar Stitch Medium Chart, pick up and k1 st in between instep and heel flap, pick up and k16 sts along other edge of heel flap. 84 sts. N1: 35 N2: 49 Sizes Smalland Large: (CC) With needle 1, pick up and knit 14 (18) sts along edge of heel flap, pick up and k1 st in between heel flap and instep. With needle 2, work rnd 1 of Caesar Stitch instep chart, pick up and k1 st in between instep and heel flap, pick up and k14 (18) sts along other edge of heel flap. 74 (94) sts. N1: 31 (39) N2: 43 (55) NOTES: (All Sizes) In this next section, the beginning of the round will be shifted one st to the left at each color change until the beginning of the round is just before the center of the sole. This will help conceal the jogs in the stripes when changing colors along the foot. Rnd 1: (CC) K7 (8, 9), sl1, k8 (9, 10), p13 (15, 17), k2tog, work next row of Caesar's St, ssk, p13 (15, 17), k1 from N1. (Beginning of rnd shifted 1 st to the left) Rnd 2: (MC) K7 (8, 9), sl1, k to last st on N1; work next row of Caesar's St, k to end of rnd. Rnd 3: (MC) K to previously slipped CC st, sll, k to last 2 sts on N1, k2tog; work next row of Caesar's St, ssk, k to end of rnd plus 1 st. Rnd 4: (CC) K to previously slipped MC st, sl1, k to last st on N1; work next row of Caesar's St, k to end of rnd. Rnd 5: (CC) K to previously slipped MC st, sl1, k to last 2 sts on N1, k2tog; work next row of Caesar's St, ssk, k to end of rnd plus 1 st. Rnd 6: (MC) K to previously slipped CC st, sl1, k to last st on N1; work next row of Caesar's St, k to end of rnd. Rep rnds 3-6 until you have 56 (64, 72) sts remaining. Knit one extra st as indicated at the end of odd rnds to keep shifting the beginning of the rnd until you reach just before the center sole. Stop shifting once you reach the first slipped st. This will remain your beginning of the round until you reach the toe. Rearrange sts s0 that there are 28 (32, 36) sts on each needle. N1: (sole) 28 (32, 36) sts. N2: (top of foot) 28 (32, 36) sts. Proceed to foot.
Foot:
Cont. as established, working two rnds in one color, then two rnds in the other color. Keep slipping the center sole sts as established. Round 1: Knit all sts on N1; work next row of Caesar's St, k to end of rnd. Rep rnd 1 until 2 inches to tip of toe, after finishing rnd 8 or 16. Break CC. Proceed to toe.
Toe:
Set-up rnd: K15 (17, 19) to shift the beginning of the rnd, resulting in N1 $=$ instep and $\mathsf{N}2=$ sole. Round 1: [K1, ssk, work to last 3 sts on N, k2tog, k1] twice. Round 2: Knit. Rep these 2 rnds until 16 (24, 32) sts remain. 8 (12, 16) sts on each needle. Break yarn, leaving long enough strand to graft toe using Kitchener stitch. Graft remaining stitches together.
Finishing:
Weave in ends. Block as desired. This pattern was tech edited and test knitted by Lorna... many, many thanks! This design is for personal, non-commercial use only. If you wish to share the pattern please don't distribute, instead, direct people to my site, or to Ravelry, so they can acquire their own copy. Thank you! Email: starina@hotmail.com
Shakespeare's Julius Caesar
ACT 1, Scene 2: CAESAR: Who is it in the press that calls on me? I hear a tongue, shriller than all the music, Cry 'Caesar!' Speak; Caesar is turn'd to hear. Soothsayer: Beware the ides of March. CAESAR: What man is that?
BRUTUS: A soothsayer bids you beware the ides of March. CAESAR: Set him before me; let me see his face. CASSIUS: Fellow, come from the throng; look upon Caesar. CAESAR: What say'st thou to me now? speak once again. Soothsayer: Beware the ides of March. CAESAR: He is a dreamer; let us leave him: pass. IDES OF MARCH By Star Athena and Grant Law ANTONY CICERO PLUTARCH AUGUSTUS CLEOPATRA POMPEY BEWARE GAIUS POWER BRUTUS DAGGER REPUBLIC CAESAR EMPIRE ROME CALPURNIA JULIUS SENATE CASCA OCTAVIAN TUNIC CATO PLOT WAR
